Tubular Trends Take Over 2018

2018 was a wild year to say the least, with pretty wild trends. And as we reflect on the happenings of the past year, let us reflect also on the biggest trends that surfaced the internet and our lives.

SLIME

Honestly, would this list be complete without it? 

This satisfying and mesmerizing trend took the internet by storm in 2017 and is just now dying out. 

Slime accounts on Instagram gained millions of followers after capturing the eyes of pretty much everyone. These accounts began to sell slime as well as continue their social media presence, and the slime industry faced an economic boom. 

But, this trend is leaving as different ones rise in internet popularity.

(Illustration by Phoebe Lai)

ASMR

Autonomous sensory meridian response. And in English: basically, people feel tingles in their ears when other people whisper. 

Yeah, I don’t understand it either. 

However, the ASMR community took over the internet this year. YouTube now contains millions upon millions of YouTubers trying ASMR. And, as these millions of youtubers run out of ideas, they begin to resort to the weirdest things. 

I just looked up ASMR right now and one title of a video is “ASMR HONEYCOMB (Extremely STICKY Satisfying EATING SOUNDS).” 

Personally, I don’t see the appeal. Sounds pretty gross to me.

FORTNITE

I apologize for including this but, how could I ignore its prominence when every other Snapchat story is a computer screen that says “Victory Royale?” 

Beginning in 2017, the video game Fortnite gain millions of players, old and young, and this game is expected to continue its success through 2019 as well. 

Describing this game as “popular” would be an understatement. 

This year, my little brother went as a chug jug for Halloween. What even is that? 

I see so-called “Fortnite dances” everywhere. 

Why is there dancing in a multiplayer fighting game? 

This game became so big and intense that parents have started hiring “Fortnite tutors” to help their children become better at this game! 

What are people thinking? Basically, I just have a lot of questions.

HYDROFLASKS

Bright colors. Stickers. The sound when they drop on the floor. What’s not to love? 

Goodbye Swell bottles, hello Hydroflasks! 

Literally, almost every person I know owns a Hydroflask. Think I’m over exaggerating? Look around your classroom for a moment and notice how many sit on the desks of your classmates. Trust me, you’ll be shocked. 

They can keep things cold and hot! Who would’ve thought? And they’re reusable! 

Clearly, no other water bottle can do that! And that is why Hydroflasks are far superior! Wow, I’m so convinced to buy a $44 water bottle! That’s definitely a great way to spend my money!

While this list goes on and on (I didn’t even get to Shane Dawson’s documentary series!), I hope these few trends covered make you realize that we value the most meaningless things in our lives. 

But honestly, I don’t have enough time to focus on that. 

My friends are Skyping me to get me to play another round of Fortnite. 

And that’s the tea.